Landing Gear Not Configured: Northrop F-5E Tiger II, N926TA; accident occurred August 24, 2020 at Reno-Stead Airport (KRTS), Washoe County, Nevada

Aviation Accident Factual Report - National Transportation Safety Board

Additional Participating Entity: 

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Reno, Nevada 

Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board:

https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket

Tactical Air Support Inc

https://registry.faa.gov/N926TA

Location: Reno, Nevada

Accident Number: WPR20CA286

Date & Time: August 24, 2020, 10:03 Local 

Registration: N926TA

Aircraft: Northrop F5 

Aircraft Damage: Substantial

Defining Event: Landing gear not configured 

Injuries: 1 None

Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation 

Pilot Information

Certificate: Airline transport

Age: 47,Male

Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine land; Multi-engine land

Seat Occupied: Single

Other Aircraft Rating(s): Helicopter

Restraint Used: 5-point

Instrument Rating(s): Airplane

Second Pilot Present: No

Instructor Rating(s): None 

Toxicology Performed: No

Medical Certification: Class 1 Without waivers/limitations

Last FAA Medical Exam: March 23, 2020

Occupational Pilot: Yes 

Last Flight Review or Equivalent: June 5, 2020

Flight Time: (Estimated) 2838 hours (Total, all aircraft), 17 hours (Total, this make and model), 2350 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 17 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 4 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft)

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Northrop 

Registration: N926TA

Model/Series: F5 E 

Aircraft Category: Airplane

Year of Manufacture: 1975 

Amateur Built: No

Airworthiness Certificate: Experimental (Special) 

Serial Number: 75-0493

Landing Gear Type: Retractable - Tricycle

Seats: 1

Date/Type of Last Inspection: August 13, 2020 100 hour 

Certified Max Gross Wt.: 15320 lbs

Time Since Last Inspection:

Engines: 2 Turbo jet

Airframe Total Time: 2335.1 Hrs at time of accident

Engine Manufacturer: General Electric

ELT: C126 installed, not activated

Engine Model/Series: J85-21C

Registered Owner: 

Rated Power: 5000 Lbs thrust

Operator: On file 

Operating Certificate(s) Held: None

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual (VMC)

Condition of Light: Day

Observation Facility, Elevation: KRTS,5050 ft msl 

Distance from Accident Site: 0 Nautical Miles

Observation Time: 05:55 Local 

Direction from Accident Site: 0°

Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear 

Visibility: 10 miles

Lowest Ceiling: None 

Visibility (RVR):

Wind Speed/Gusts: 4 knots / 

Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: None / None

Wind Direction: 30°

Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: Unknown / Unknown

Altimeter Setting: 30.11 inches Hg

Temperature/Dew Point: 25°C / 6°C

Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation

Departure Point: Reno, NV (RTS)

Type of Flight Plan Filed: None

Destination: Reno, NV (RTS) 

Type of Clearance: None

Departure Time: 09:00 Local

Type of Airspace: Class E

Airport Information

Airport: Reno/Stead RTS 

Runway Surface Type: Asphalt

Airport Elevation: 5050 ft msl 

Runway Surface Condition: Dry

Runway Used: 14 

IFR Approach: None

Runway Length/Width: 9000 ft / 150 ft

VFR Approach/Landing: Full stop

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 None 

Aircraft Damage: Substantial

Passenger Injuries:

Aircraft Fire: None

Ground Injuries: N/A 

Aircraft Explosion: None

Total Injuries: 1 None

Latitude, Longitude: 39.680831,-119.879997(est)